Mapping the Greatest Missionary's Journey

Jesus is the greatest missionary, as seen in the tremendous personal sacrifices he endured to bring sinners into salvation. (Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11-13) Below is a simplified map of this historic journey.^[1]

See John 8:23, where Jesus said he is from "the realms above" (the transcendent spirit realm), and we reside in "the realms below," on the earth in the physical realm (NW).

1. Jesus' pre-human position in heavenly/spiritual/divine glory. (John 17:5)
2. The (a) kenosis and (b) katabasis, the (a) emptying or divesting of his divine glory and (b) him 'stepping down' into the physical realm on earth. (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:17; Ephesians 4:9)
3. Conveyed by holy spirit to Mary's womb and born as a perfect man. (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4) His life and death. (Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:17)
4. His resurrection back to spirit life, his anabasis: 'stepping up' into the spirit realm. (Galatians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 Peter 3:18)
5. Jesus' current exalted position as immortal in heavenly/spiritual/divine glory. (Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 3:21)

Footnote:
^[1] Compare with Jacob's ladder vision in Genesis 28:12, which depicts angels ascending and descending on a ladder or staircase from heaven to earth.

Further reading:

• Who Is Jesus Christ? www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/who-is-jesus-christ/
• The Ransom—God’s Greatest Gift www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/the-ransom-gods-greatest-gift/

Related blog entries:

• A simplified diagram of reality http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2011/01/simplified-diagram-of-reality.html
• Messianic Symbolism of Jonah http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2011/05/messianic-symbolism-jonah-jonah-wayward.html
• Jesus: a Spirit Born on Earth http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2011/02/jesus-spirit-born-on-earth-jesus-was.html
• The Exaltation of Christ http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2011/08/exaltation-of-christ-god-elevated-him.html
• Great Illustration of Transcendence http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2012/05/great-illustration-of-transcendence-if.html
• Passing Through the Curtain http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2014/12/passing-through-curtain.html
• A case for Christ's pre-human existence http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2011/07/case-for-christs-pre-human-existence.html
• Jesus’ life before his birth http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2014/06/comparing-saving-schemes-what-must-i-do.html